Ofcom's second public service broadcasting review Phase 2: Preparing for the digital future 25 September 2008
Audiences should have a choice of providers
Audiences value the BBC
But they also want PSB alternatives to complement the BBC
Stakeholder support
Enhances reach and impact
Valuable as an end in itself in news and current affairs
Valuable to audiences, who are willing to pay
The current model of ITV1 provision is broken Current costs soon exceed benefits 2009 2010 2011 ITV Wales Costs > benefits During 2009 ITV Plc Costs > benefits Before 2012 stv Costs > benefits 2009 - 2010
Post 2012:
UTV & GMTV: Benefits>costs
Five: Small net benefits
1 2 3 4 Licence handback becomes a rational option for ITV Plc
Channel 4 should have a significant role, but it needs an economic model and funding to support this Note: Forecasts Channel 4’s financial shortfall by 2012. LEK's numbers based on EBITDA. Ofcom based on EBIT, due to differences in methodology £32 m £60 m £100 m £119 m
Estimated funding gap - after 2012 considerable uncertainty £330- 420 m £185 m £145 - 235m Total funding of £330 - £420m per annum may be needed by 2012
Institutions and competition should play important roles
Reach
Values
Independence
Flexibility
Transparency
Efficiency
Benefits Institutions Competition
Long term models for PSB in the future need refining 2. BBC only 1. Evolution 3. BBC/Channel 4 4. Broad competitive funding
All funding options identified in Phase 1 remain credible
Regulatory assets
Direct public funding
Licence fee
BBC assets
Levy schemes
In the short term commercial PSBs' obligations must set them on a path consistent with the long-term models
Ofcom’s proposed PSB priorities for ITV1 up to 2014:
Original British programming, so quotas remain
UK and international news, so requirements unchanged
Peak-time current affairs unchanged but reduced outside peak
Peak-time news for the devolved nations unchanged but non-news minimum reduced
Current affairs in the nations unchanged
Regional news in England that prioritises peak-time over daytime and balances regional with local
As part of this re-prioritisation:
- ITV1’s Out of London production quota reduced to 35%, in line with pre-2004 figure
Ofcom rejected the case for any change in:
ITV1’s quota of independent productions
In the short term commercial PSBs' obligations must set them on a path consistent with the long-term models
five’s role in PSB up to 2014:
-Original production quota fixed at 50%
-News and current affairs unchanged
-New commitment by five to enhanced delivery of children’s programmes
Our core principles for the future
BBC remains the cornerstone of PSC
Audiences should have a choice of providers in most areas of PSC
TV remains essential, but PSC should be delivered across platforms
Content for the devolved nations remains essential – particularly news
Institutional & competitive funding could play important future complementary roles
Channel 4 needs a new economic model to deliver its future public service contribution
ITV1 and Five retain important PSC roles up to 2014 with re-prioritised focus
After 2014, the case for obligations on ITV1 & Five is more evenly balanced
Most of the Phase 1 funding sources are credible - a mix may be needed in future
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